Device, system, and method for wide gamut color space support

ABSTRACT

Methods, chips, systems, computer program products and data structures are described for conducting modification of color video signals from a first color format associated with an originating format to a second format compatible with a display media of a display device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C.119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/177,962 filedMay 13, 2009 and entitled “Multiple Device Color Gamut ManagementMethod” which is hereby incorporated by reference herein for allpurposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to image data transfer betweensource devices (e.g., multi-media source devices) and sink devices(e.g., image and video display devices such as monitors and otherdevices). In particular, the inventive technologies contemplate theability to fully capitalize on the wide color gamut technologies cominginto greater usage. The inventive technology seeks enable the capture,transmission, conversion, and display of image data across a wide rangeof differing wide gamut formats as well as existing formats.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes methods, devices, and systems suited tothe receiving and transmitting of wide color gamut image and video data.Such data can be transmitted between devices of a multi-media network.Such networks can include audio-video source devices (exampleaudio-video source devices including, but not limited to cameras, videorecorders, set-top boxes, DVD players, Blu-ray Disc players, personalcomputers (PCs), video game consoles (e.g., PlayStation 3, Wii, and Xbox360, etc.)) and audio-video sink devices (examples including digitalaudio-video devices, computer monitors, digital televisions, convertorboxes, display devices, and AV receivers of many different varieties).

One of the current issues in the communication of color data is thesheer number of existing color formats, color spaces, and color gamut'sused to generate, transmit, and display image data. In many such formatsthere is very little commonality between the formats. Accordingly,conversions must be made between the formats to render the resultantimages in a faithful manner. In many cases, due to the many inherentdifficulties in converting between formats (for example, the various HDand SD formats), the conversion is simply not performed at all. Thisresults in a wide range of distortions and deviations from the intendedcolor gamut resulting in a significantly distorted image as finallydisplayed.

The inventors point out that the use of standardized formats (examplesincluding, but not limited to, sRGB, scRGB, an Adobe RGB, DCI-P3,SMPTE-C, ITU_R.BT601 (CCIR601), ITU_R.BT709, xvYCC, and grey-scaleformats, as well as others) results in compromises in color fidelity.For example, each device has its own range of color capability defininga unique color gamut for that device. For example, a video recordingdevice or other image capture device has a certain range of sensitivityto color and brightness that is generally unique to that device. This isrepresented as a “native” color gamut for such a device. One problemwith the standardized color formats is that they have a defined colorrange over which the device can operate. This range will impose limitson the devices and resultant image fidelity where the standard formatdoes not coincide with the native format of the device (in nearly 100%of cases).

Using FIG. 1( a) as an example, a simplified depiction of a number ofdifferent color spaces is shown. Here, a graph 100 figurativelyrepresents a chromaticity diagram showing a CIE 1931 color space 111, ansRGB color space 101, and a wide color gamut space scRGB 112.Additionally, a “native” image capture color gamut 102 for an exampleimage capture device (such as a camera) is depicted in dashed line. Itis to be noted that certain regions 103 of the native color gamut 102cannot be represented by the sRGB color space. Accordingly, distortionsoccur when the image data captured by the image capture device isencoded. Commonly, areas like that of 103 are simply lost in theconversion to a standard format.

In addition, referring to FIG. 1( b), when a captured image is displayedon a monitor having a smaller color gamut than that represented by theinput data (i.e., the input data can defines a range of color andbrightness beyond the capabilities of the monitor) an out of gamutproblem will occur for those colors having no analog in the color spaceof the display device. For example, display gamut 111 is not able todisplay the full color range of an input image 112. The portions of theimage 112 not realizable using a display with color gamut 111 are “outof gamut” 113. Numerous approaches for dealing with this problem can beused. In one common mode, out of gamut clipping will occur and theregions 113 are merely “clipped” from the image data and represented bysome color at the edge of the color space 111. It can easily be seenthat many conversions to standard formats (for example, sRGB) result inlost data and the inability to capture the full color gamut of anoriginating device. Thus, a first level of distortion is introduced intothe image data. However, for many purposes, clipping and other colordistortions associated with mapping to a standardized format areacceptable.

Additionally, image data encoded in one format may not be able to takefull advantage of the large color gamut's available from modern sinkdevices. In such cases portions of the display gamut extend beyond astandard color space (e.g., an sRGB color space). Accordingly, theexpanded color gamut available in a wide gamut sink device (e.g. adisplay) cannot be exploited by merely displaying an ordinary sRGBencoded image signal. In some cases, a reference gamut can be used tomap image data to a wider gamut. For example, sRGB data can be mapped toa wider gamut format, such as an scRGB to obtain an expanded color gamutfor display. However, due to peculiarities of the mapping algorithms,distortions also occur when the image data is mapped in this way.Moreover, there is no guarantee that the mapped data will look anythinglike the original data captured with an originating image capturedevice.

Thus, even though existing color formats are useful for many purposes,they lack the ability to take full advantage of the color capability ofmodern display and image content generation devices. Additionally,existing formats do not have the ability to adapt to the myriad ofdifferent color gamut's available in modern multi-media device (e.g., AV(audio-video) devices). There are many situations where highercolorimetric range and/or fidelity are desirable. There are alsosituations where a system needs to be flexible enough to capture manydifferent color gamut's such as are present in the vast array of devicesavailable today. The present invention addresses these concerns andprovides methods and devices capable of providing enhanced color gamutsupport with relatively low system overhead. In facilitating thisinvention, the inventors have conceived of methods and devices thatenable the transmission and receipt of color image and video databetween devices. Importantly, the approach disclosed by the inventorshas a number of desirable features. For one, the approaches discussedhere feature wide color gamut support, a flexible and adaptableapproach, and a relatively small amount of data overhead. These andother features of the inventions are highly useful and are describedherein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the invention describes an integrated circuit chiphaving an image capture system. The system having a native color gamutassociated with the capabilities of the system and processing circuitryfor encoding the captured image data in an image data format thatcaptures the native color gamut of the image capture using a simplecolor profile. The simple profile suitable for describing the nativecolor gamut of the image capture system using a small set of parameterssufficient to enable decoding of said formatted image data.

In another aspect the invention comprises an integrated circuit chipconfigured for use in a multimedia source device. Such a chip includes acontent processing system that receives input image data, determines theformat of the image data, receives color gamut support capabilityinformation from a sink device, and transmits output image data to thesink wherein the output is encoded in a first input format or a secondformat. The chip further including a decision module that determines theformat of the output image data and a mapping module for the selectivemapping of image data from the first color gamut to the second colorgamut.

In another aspect, an integrated circuit chip for use in a sink deviceis disclosed. The chip for supplying color gamut support capabilityinformation to a source device, the gamut support capability informationdescribing color gamut display characteristics for a display mediaassociated with the chip. Also a pair of interfaces enable communicationbetween the chip and a source device to enable transmission of the gamutsupport information to the source device and to receive input image datafrom said source. Another interface can be used to enable communicationbetween the chip and the display media to enable output image data to betransmitted to the display media.

A further aspect of the invention includes a method for communicatingimage data between source and sink devices in a multimedia network. Themethod comprises providing image data to a multi-media source device.This “providing” can comprise generating the data by the source orreceiving previously encoded data from elsewhere. The encoded format ofthe image data is determined after a determination of the gamut supportcapability of the sink device is made. A determination is made as towhether the format of the input data is to be modified to a secondformat suitable for use by the sink device. In the case wheremodification is not needed, the data is forwarded to the sink withoutmodification. Where modification is desired, a determination is made asto whether the modification is performed by said source device or bysaid sink device and then the modification is performed at theappropriate location. The data can also be displayed at the sink ifdesired. This method can be further implemented in a processing deviceor set of processing devices as a computer readable set of instructions.

The invention further encompasses novel data structures used tofacilitate image data transmission and modification accommodating thecolor gamut support capabilities of a system. Such structures cancomprise messages sent from sink devices to source devices describingthe gamut support capabilities of the sink devices and can compriseimage data headers which specify the encoding format of the image data.In particular, some embodiments capture a simple color profile for theimage data or the sink device.

General aspects of the invention include, but are not limited tointegrated circuits, chip systems, methods, systems, apparatus, andcomputer program products for enabling the transmission of gamut supportcapability information and the use of that information to enable highfidelity representation of image data having different color gamut thanthat of a displaying sink device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention and the advantages thereof may best be understood byreference to the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIGS. 1( a) and 1(b) are graphical depictions of a number of differentcolor spaces and gamut's associated with various standards and AVdevices.

FIG. 2 is a simplified depiction of an AV network having source and sinkdevices.

FIGS. 3( a)-3(b) are graphic depictions of selected color spaces andsimple profiles used to characterize AV devices.

FIGS. 4( a)-4(b) are various schematic depictions of selected AV networkembodiments showing source and sink devices and some of theirsub-components.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of networked deviceoperation in accordance with the principles of the invention.

FIGS. 6( a) and 6(b) are simplified depictions of various color gamutsupport capability descriptors as used and described in accordance withthe principles of the invention.

In the drawings, like reference numerals are sometimes used to designatelike structural elements. It should also be appreciated that thedepictions in the figures are diagrammatic and not to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates generally to the transmission andrendering of multimedia color image data between multi-media devicesincluding audio-video (AV) source and sink devices. Such inventionincludes the chip systems, circuit apparatus, software, and devicesconfigured to enable the same. More particularly, methods and chipsystems are described for enabling wide gamut color data transmissionfrom an AV source to an AV sink device such that the color informationcan be displayed with a desired level of fidelity.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth toprovide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will beapparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present inventionmay be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In otherinstances, well known process steps have not been described in detail inorder to avoid unnecessary obscuring of the present invention.

With brief reference to FIG. 2, an example AV network 200 is depicted.This can include one or more AV source devices networked together in alarger system that typically includes at least AV one sink device. Inthe example network an AV source device 201 is interconnected 203 with anumber of different AV sink devices 202.

As briefly stated above, sources 201 may include, but are not limited toany suitable video, audio, and/or data source devices including adesktop computers, portable computers, DVD players, Blu-ray players,set-top boxes or video graphics cards, among a myriad of othermulti-media content transmitting devices. The inventors point out thatthe source devices 201 can be connected with stand apart contentgeneration devices or, alternatively, the content generation devices canform an integral part of the source device. One typical example of suchcontent generators includes image capture devices (e.g., cameras orvideo recorders) as well as other types of image and video contentgenerating devices. A wide range of sink devices can also be employedincluding, but not limited to CRT's, plasma devices, penetron devices,LCD devices, LED devices, as well as many others known in the art andintegrated into display devices or other sink type devices. Sink deviceis intended to be interpreted broadly, for example, a computer devicearranged to receive signal from a source device can be employed as asink device.

These devices are connected together using wired 203 or wirelessconnectors. Such connectors include the ability to transmit image dataas well as transmit configuration data between the devices to establishcorrectly configured devices. Typically but not exclusively, auxiliarylines transmit such configuration data.

Again referring to FIG. 2, the inventors point to an example where thedevices are configured to support image data having one or more colorgamut's. For example, in a first idealized situation the source 201 isconfigured to transmit source image data encoded in a first color format(e.g., sRGB) and each of the sink devices 202 a, 202 b, 202 c, 202 d arealso configured to receive the same data format. This is a situationfree of complexity and requires no special consideration. In anotherexample, the source 201 is again configured to transmit source imagedata encoded in a first color format (e.g., sRGB) and the sink devicesare configured to receive data arranged in different formats. Where, forexample, sinks 202 a, 202 b, 202 c, 202 d are each configured to supportimage data in a second color format (e.g., Adobe RGB format) there willbe some degree of distortion when the initial signal (in sRGB) is sentto the sink devices. This is the current situation when the sRGB signalis sent to the sinks. Due to the incongruence of format there will besome distortion of the signal when displayed. Thus, no two monitorsreally display the same image data the same way.

The inventors propose a methodology for improving color fidelity in thisand other situations. In one situation, a determination of sink colorgamut support is determined and then an image signal that is compatible(or is made compatible) with the sink color gamut color supportcapability is provided to the sink device. For example, in onesituation, a modification (e.g., a mapping) can be performed that altersthe image data from the first format (e.g., sRGB) to the second format(e.g., Adobe RGB) that is supported by the sink. In this simplesituation, it may be advantageous to conduct the modification at thesource device 201 and then transmit the modified image data to the sinkdevices. This can be advantageous because, generally, the source devicehas a great deal of computing power (e.g., using graphics cards,specialized IC chips, and the like) compared to sink devices enablingsuch modification to be done quickly and efficiently. However, there aredisadvantages in such a scheme. For example, in the case where each (orat least some) of the sink devices operate using different color formatsthis puts a considerable burden on the processing resources of a sourcedevice. In one example case, only 202 a supports the first format (e.g.,sRGB), whereas 202 b supports a second format (e.g., Adobe RGB), 202 csupports a third format (e.g., encoded in a YCC color space), and where202 d supports a fourth format (e.g., ITU.R.BT709). In such a situation,if simultaneous signal is to be sent to more than one sink, performingall the modification at the source can provide a serious bottleneck tothe data transmission. In such a case, it would be advantageous toperform the data modification at each sink individually. Unfortunately,there is no satisfactory support mechanism for such a process currentlyavailable in the art.

Additionally, as indicated above, none of the existing standard colorspaces are customized to the particular needs of specific sink andsource devices. In most cases, the standard formats and color spaces donot capture the full color gamut's or operational ranges of AV devices.Moreover, conversion between such color spaces is fraught withdistortion. The present invention provides a mechanism for alteringimage data generated in accord with the color space of one device to abe displayable using the color space of another device with a minimaldistortion and minimized loss of color fidelity. Moreover, the inventiveapproach does so with a great deal of flexibility and adaptability.Also, the inventive approach requires minimal data overhead to operate,requiring only small descriptors to describe device gamut supportcapability and small data headers.

An invention as presently described, can operate upon a number ofdifferent encoding schemes and color profiles. Examples include such assRGB, scRGB, xYCC, AdobeRGB, and a wide range of other standard colorspaces and gamut's. Such standard schemes expressly include wide gamutcolor spaces to include but not limited to reference color gamut's.Additionally, the disclosed approach is inclusive, enabling operationusing very detailed color profiles such as those specified using an ICCcolor profile.

However, the invention also describes and can employ a highly flexibleand simplified data profile to encode color image data. As describedhereinafter, this data profile is referred to as a “simple” profile. Inone embodiment, the simple profile comprises a three channel dataprofile that is used to encode color image data (which can also be usedto specify gray scale). The simple profile is far more compact than anICC profile (which can and typically requires megabytes of data tospecify) while still containing the most relevant detail. Additionally,it is very flexible, covering virtual all color gamut's likely to beemployed using modern multi-media devices. Accordingly, the simpleprofile is simple, adaptable, small, operable with low data overhead andenables the capture, generation, transmission, and modification of colordata, to include, wide color gamut data. In particular, it can be usedto describe and encode data in a manner that is representative of devicethat will capture, generate, or display the data. Such a profile beingespecially suited to capturing a unique native color gamut of amulti-media device (e.g., a video camera color gamut). Similarly, thesimple profile can be used to characterize the display properties of asink device which receives the encoded data. This enables the dataobtained in one format to flexibly adapt to the display color gamut of asink device. Moreover, this approach can conduct data encoding using asmall and relatively compact color profile. Simple profiles, in theirentirety can be specified in a matter of a few bytes, whereas, forcomparison, the header of an ICC profile requires 128 bytes, let alonethe long string of data required to specify the entire profile. Thus,the simple profile is far smaller than the large ICC profiles and withfar greater range and flexibility than standard format color encoding.Thus, for at least these reasons the “simple” profile has great utility.

One example of a simple profile is illustrated with respect to FIG. 3(a). An x-y diagram 300 illustrating chromaticity depicts a device colorgamut and an example standard color gamut. The diagram depicts a colorgamut 301 for an example originating device. Also, a standard colorgamut (here, for example, an sRGB gamut) 302 is shown for comparison. Asexplained above and readily visible here, the sRGB gamut does notencompass the full native color gamut of the originating device.

In order to accommodate the differences between color gamut's theinventors contemplate a simple color profile suitable for enabling colorgamut information associated with the originating device to be supportedon a number of different devices using a relatively small amount ofprocessing overhead. Further, the inventors contemplate that the simplecolor profile is suitable for characterizing the color gamut associatedwith a display device.

Such a simple profile is a parametric color profile that is specifiedusing a relatively small number of parameters. Such a simple profileincludes a number of parameters that characterize one of: (a) a nativecolor gamut of a device that creates image data or (b) that characterizea color gamut of a display device or other sink that will display imagedata. In one example, FIG. 3( b) depicts a pair of color gamut's andtheir relationship which can be used to determine gamut support of thevarious devices involved. In one embodiment, data generated or otherwisecaptured by a content generation device can specify the native colorgamut 315 as follows. Parameters for a red point 311 of the native colorgamut of the originating device can be specified simply. Merely an x andy chromaticity coordinate in any suitable color space (e.g., using a RGBcolor coordinate space) can be used. In this depicted example, red hasan x value of 0.6 and y value of 0.15. The inventors point out that thisdepiction is but one example with a vast array of possible variations.Similarly, in this example, each of the green 312 and blue 313parameters can be specified with their associated coordinates. Also, awhite point 314 parameter can be specified using, for example, x,ycoordinates and a luminance value. Additionally, ranges and scaling canbe specified to establish the resolution of the data in accordance withthe resolution of the encoding. For example, if color is to be encodedin a single byte (having 8 bit resolution), the color range is specifiedand has a resolution in accord with a range of eight bits i.e., 0-255.Additionally a reference must be specified to indicate the zero bias andunit scale for the signal. Thus, the range, resolution, zero bias andunit scale are encoded into the simple profile. More commonly, the imagedata is encoded having greater resolution. One example being 10 bitencoding, the digital code range is from 0 to 1023, assuming zero biasis 384 and unit scale is 510, thus the minimum and maximum range can bederived as [(0-384)/510, (1023-384)/510], that is, [−0.7529, 1.2529].Different bias or digital unit scale may be adopted by different systemsor devices.

The inventors point out that further parameters can be used to morefully specify the color of the image data. For example, a gammaparameter can be used. Or alternatively, to obtain better fidelity anumber of different gamma response parameters can be specified to modelnon-linear gamma performance. Thus, in a simple example, the gammaparameter can be a single linear value (e.g., 2.2) or it can bespecified by a series of parameters to capture a desired non-lineargamma response. In one example, parameters A₀, A₁, A₂, A₃, could be usedto specify a series of ranges each with an associated gamma functionthat operates within the proscribed ranges to model non-linear gammaresponse. In one implementation, a gamma response from a non-linearinput signal L′ to a linear output signal L mapping a non-linear r′g′b′to a linear rgb can be characterized as follows. For example, anon-linear gamma response can be used to enhance mid-tones. In a casewhere A₀-A₃ are positive,if 0≦|L′|≦A ₀, then L=L′/A ₁;if L′>A ₀, then L=[(L′+A ₂)/(1+A ₂)]^(A3)if L′<−A ₀, then L=−[(L′−A ₂)/(−1−A ₂)]^(A3)Many other gamma relations (such mapping from a linear encoding to anon-linear format suitable for display) and ranges will be known tothose of ordinary skill in the art and can be optimized to correctlymodel each system or signal. These parameters can be used to specify thesimple profile with an extremely small data overhead. For example, theentire profile can be specified in 20 bytes or less. This is incomparison to the massive ICC profiles where the header alone cancomprise 128 bytes. Using such a profile, image data can be encodedusing, for example, 16 bit logic to contain an extremely high fidelitycolor signal.

In comparison, a display device profile gamut 325 can be specified usingthe same set of parameters. As shown by example in FIG. 3( b), anexample display profile gamut 325 includes a similar set of parametersincluding a red 321, green 322, blue 323 reference for the native colorgamut of the display. As before, x and y coordinates are specified asare a white point 324 parameter can be specified using, for example, x,ycoordinates and a luminance value. Additionally, ranges and scaling canbe specified to establish the resolution of the display in accordancewith the resolution of the encoding. Additionally zero bias referencefor the scaling is specified, as is the gamma response for the device.

As can be seen here, the image color space 315 and the display gamut 325are not identical. Moreover, in this example, the image color space 315does not lie entirely within the display gamut 325. In a case where theimage color space 315 is entirely within the color gamut of the display(325) then the image can be displayed without modification. In such asimple situation, the simple profile is an excellent method ofrepresenting data and also an easy way of representing the image datausing the display color gamut. However, as displayed here, the twogamuts are not consonant with one another. This means that somemodification of the image data will be required to provide a displayedimage having reasonable fidelity to the original. A number of datatreatments, mappings, or modifications can be employed to serve thisneed. In one approach, the data can be modified (mapped) by merely“clipping” the “out-of-gamut” color data 331. This can be achieved inaccord with any of a number of different clipping algorithms known tothose of ordinary skill in the art. In another common approach, acontraction algorithm can be used to “shrink” the image color space 315such that it entirely (or partially) fits within the color gamut 325 ofthe display device. As can be appreciated by those of ordinary skillmany other renderings of the data can be used in accordance with theprinciples of the invention. Similarly, it is appreciated by those ofordinary skill that these approaches result in some degree of distortionand require some image modification software resident at one of thesource or sink devices. Thus, the simple profile can be used to describeimage data color profiles as well as display characteristics andaccordingly provide color gamut support capability information that canbe used by embodiments of the invention.

One approach suitable for implementing the invention is described withrespect to FIGS. 4( a) & 4(b). Here figuratively described multi-mediasource devices 401 (including their associated processing circuitry andintegrated circuit chips) are arranged in communication with afiguratively described multi-media sink device 402 (including theirassociated processing circuitry and integrated circuit chips). Each pairis linked with a connector 405 that facilitates communication betweenthe source 401 and the sink 402. Such connectors 405 can be wired orwireless connectors. The connector is capable of transmitting colorimage data and also capable of establishing auxiliary communicationbetween the devices to transmit and receive ancillary information.Importantly, the connector can communicate gamut support capabilityinformation between devices.

The embodiments depicted in FIGS. 4( a) and 4(b) are different, butrelated device architectures that enable various embodiments of theinvention as well as various combinations thereof and otherconfigurations.

In one embodiment, depicted in FIG. 4( a), a source device 401 includesa content processing system 411 that enables the determination of thegamut support capability of the sink 402, the format of the image data421, the determination of whether the image modification is to beperformed, and determines where said modification will be performed. Itshould be noted that the system 411 is typically embodied in one or moreintegrated circuit chips. For example, the content processing system 411can include a decision module 412. The decision module 412 can receivethe input image data 421 and determine its encoding format.Additionally, the decision module 412 obtains color gamut supportinformation 423 from the sink device 402. The color gamut supportinformation 123 can be transmitted to the source 401 from the sink 402using an auxiliary line of the connector 405 or another means.

In this embodiment, the content processing system 411 can furtherinclude a modification module 413 a configured to modify the input imagedata 421 such that it attains a second format compatible with the gamutsupport capability of the sink device 402. For example, the input imagedata 421 can be clipped to a format presentable using the color gamutavailable at the sink 402. Examples of such modification can includeclipping, trimming, dodging, burning and other data manipulationssuitable for application to gamut mapping and modification. Theinventors also contemplate that many other color modification andcontrast algorithms and approaches can be used depending on the devicesinvolved and the gamut support capabilities of the devices involved. So,in one example embodiment, modification involves adjusting the inputimage data 421 from a first color gamut (typically, the originatingcolor gamut in which the data 421 is encoded) to a second color gamutthat is compatible with the characteristics of the sink device 402.Thus, output image data 422 is transmitted to the sink device 402 inaccord with a second color gamut that is compatible with the sink 402.Typical sink devices can include computers, televisions, displays,digital projectors, and the like.

In one implementation, the content that comprises the input data 421 isgenerated by a content generation system 430 (which can be hardware,software, or any combination thereof). This content generation devicecan comprise image generation devices (such as software designing togenerate images and image streams, game consoles, DVD readers, and theentire array of image and video content generation devices) and can alsoinclude image and video image capture devices (e.g., cameras, videorecorders, etc.) or other content generation devices and software.Specifically, such content generation devices are intended to beinterpreted broadly such that they encompass other means of contentgeneration. Examples including, but not limited to computer generated AVcontent, user created content, and so on. The content can include, butis not limited to a video stream or individual images.

Importantly, the content generation device 430 can form a separatedevice or, alternatively, can be an integrated part of the source device401. As stated previously, the content generation device 430 can be animage capture device such as a video camera having an optical capturesystem 432 arranged to capture AV data. In one implementation this canbe a lens system and associated image sensor devices (e.g., CCD or CMOSdevices or other similar devices). The system can further includemicroprocessors 434 to operate and control the various systems andconfigured to encode data generated by, for example, the image capturesystem 432 or other content generation sources. In one implementation,content can be generated by a user employing a user interface 435 or byother means known to persons of ordinary skill in the art. The contentgeneration device 430 can also include memory 433 for storing theencoded audio video data (e.g., image and video data). The memory 433can also comprise removable memory. As stated previously, many othermore generalized content generation devices are contemplated beyond thatof image capture devices. Computers and game consoles provide furtherexamples of approaches for generating AV content 421 contemplated by theinventors.

As stated generally above, the content generation device 430 generatesimage content 421 having a first format that is defined by a first colorgamut. Generally, this first format is referred to as an originatingformat. For example, where the device 430 is a video camera, the data421 is encoded using the attendant “native” color gamut of the videocamera image capture chip and supporting software/hardware systems. Inanother case, where the device 430 is, for example, integral to a sourcedevice 401 (such as where the device 430 is a DVD reader that forms partof source 401), the initial format and color gamut of image data 421 isthe color gamut of the recorded format which was used to encode the DVDbeing read.

In one example, a chip that supports the content processing circuitry411 includes an input interface 414 and an output interface 415. Itshould be pointed out that the content generation circuitry 430 can beresident on the chip 440 or on the source device 401 as well ascomprising a separate device. In one such embodiment, the contentgeneration circuitry 430 can be arranged between the input 414 andcontent processing circuitry 411. However, generally the image content421 is received at an input 414, processed using the content processingsystem 411 and then transmitted via output 415 to a sink device 402.Further details of how the invention captures a fuller range of colormodification methodologies will be described in at a later point in thisspecification. As hinted at above, the content 421 can also have beencaptured at some time previously and stored on a memory media like aflash memory device or a DVD (or one of many other possible storagemedia).

A somewhat different but functionally related system is depicted in FIG.4( b). The source device 401 includes a content processing system 411having a decision module 412 that enables the determination of whethermodification is to be performed and determines where said modificationwill be performed. The modification module 413 a is optional. Forexample, the module may instead be resident on the sink device 402′ asmodification module 413 b. So a module can be present on one or theother (401, 402), both, or neither. To continue, the content generationdevice 430 can be the same as described in FIG. 4( a) above. But, in thedepicted example, a modification module 413 b is resident on the sinkdevice 402′. In such a case the module 413 b can simply be a system onchip forming a part of the sink device 402′ or integrated into the chipsystem of the sink device 402′.

Thus, in this example, both the source device 401 and the sink device402′ include modification modules. As before, the decision module 412receives information concerning the format of received input image data421. This information can be easily discerned and stored. In one commonimplementation, such format information can simply encoded into a dataheader for the image data 421 where it can be read by the source device401. Additionally, the decision module 412 receives informationconcerning the color gamut support capability of the sink device 402′.As described above, in this embodiment, the sink device 402′ includesthe modification module 413 b. This enables the sink to modify the inputimage data 421 into a second format compatible with the sink device402′. Accordingly, where no modification module 413 a is present in thesource device 401 or where it is desirable to conduct a modification atthe sink device 402′, the modification can be performed (per decision ofmodule 412) at the module 413 b of sink device 402′.

Referring again to FIG. 4( b), a generalized approach to color gamutmanagement can be described. For example, when a source 401 (or sourcechip) receives input data 421 configured having a first color formatassociated with a first color gamut (for example, the native format ofthe originating device) a modification decision can be made. Thistypically includes a determination of the format in which the input datais encoded, a determination as to what the gamut support capabilities ofthe source and sink devices are, a determination as to whether amodification of the input data to a second format shall be performed,and a determination as to where such a modification is to be performed.Thus, the following discussion outlines a process embodiment thatdescribes a method by which input data 421 is received having a firstformat and generates output data 422 having a first format or secondformat compatible with the display capability of the sink device. Suchoutput 422 can be received by a display media 316 of the sink deviceand/or output to further devices. These are made based on a variety ofcriteria that are described herein below.

The following discussion is a brief outline of an example process flowdiagram 500 as illustrated by FIG. 5. The process flow explains one modeof gamut color support in a multi-media system comprising multi-mediasource and sink devices. This enables received image data encoded in afirst format (typically encoded by an originating device) to bedisplayed in a second format that takes fuller advantage of displayformat capabilities of a sink device (e.g., a device having a displaymedia). For multi-media sink device to display a color image signal withhigh fidelity the following process can be used. The initial color imagesignal is encoded in an originating format. For example, such formatbeing associated with the device that generates the content (i.e., theinitial color image signal). This signal can be generated in any one ofa variety of ways. The important point is that the image data isreceived by the source or its attendant processing circuitry in a firstformat (Step 501). The encoding format used to encode the image data ofthe initial signal is identified (Step 503). A determination of gamutsupport capability for the sink device is also made (Step 505). Thistypically includes a determination as to whether the sink device candisplay the image data in its first format and a determination of thecolor modification and display capabilities of the sink device. Adetermination is made as to whether modification is desired or requiredof the image data of the initial signal (Step 507). In the case where itis deemed that no modification is required, the input image data cansimply be forwarded to the sink device without further modification(Step 507 a). Once forwarded, the sink can display this image data (Step513) in the unmodified first format. However, in a case where theprocess determines that the initial signal (encoded in a first colorformat) is to be modified (mapped) to a second format supported by thesink device, a determination is made as to where the modification is tobe performed, the source or the sink (Step 509). Once the processdetermines where said modification (e.g., mapping) is to be performed,said modification is conducted (Step 511) and then the modified signalcan be displayed at the sink device (Step 513).

With continued reference to the flow diagram 500 of FIG. 5 (and alsosystem diagrams of FIGS. 4( a)-4(b)), further explanation follows. Aprocess can begin with the provision of input image data 421 (Step 501)which can be input into the source 401, 401′ from another device orgenerated by a content generation device internal to the source device401, 401′. The input data 421 can be encoded in any of a number ofstandard formats, an ICC color profile, or the simple color profiledescribed above. The initial color image signal is encoded in anoriginating format (in one example, the originating format is a formatassociated with the device that generates the content) thereby providingan initial image signal. As indicated previously, this signal can begenerated in any one of a variety of ways. It can be received from anorigin exterior to the source device 401, 401′ (or exterior to sourcecircuitry), it can be generated by the source device itself, it can beobtained by accessing some stored image data (for example, it can beread from a DVD (or any other storage media) by the source device), orany of a number of other means.

In one representative example, the input data 421 is encoded in a firstformat associated with a first color gamut. For example, the firstformat can be a standard format native to the device creating the imagedata. Such format can be a generally accepted standard format (sRGB,scRGB, and so on) or an originating format that more fully describes thecolor gamut in which the image data is encoded. For example, a colorgamut specifically associated with the image capture capability of anoriginating image capture device (e.g., a video camera). In someimplementations the native format of the content generator is a standardformat, but as stated above, the native format can comprise a morespecific originating format that more accurately captures a color gamutof an image capture device capturing/generating the data. Also, the datacan be encoded in another wider gamut standard format (e.g., a referenceformat such as scRGB which references from a standard sRGB format). Suchreferenced formats are also standard formats but can be generallythought of as enhanced gamut formats because they represent wider colorgamut's, but still reference a smaller standard color gamut. A fewrepresentative standard format types (including wide gamut referencedformats) are listed to illustrate some suitable implementations.Illustrative examples include, but are not limited to sRGB, scRGB, anAdobe RGB, DCI-P3, ITU_R.BT601 (CCIR601), ITU_R.BT709, xvYCC, and manyother standard formats.

Also, it is possible that the profile of the input image data can beencoded in accordance with an ICC profile (e.g., as specified inInternational Standard ISO 15076-1:2005) for the first format. However,as already explained, such ICC profiles have massive data overhead andvery complicated color profiles (that can comprise many megabytes ofdata). Moreover, the ICC profile is complex (e.g., it specifies 16channel resolution). This is in marked contrast to the “simple” profiledisclosed below (which only requires three channel resolution).Additionally, it is worth pointing out that very few devices are capableof even supporting such an ICC profile. So, although the inventorscontemplate that certain embodiments of the invention support such ICCprofiles, other disclosed approaches may prove more suitable and useful.In particular the simple profile described herein defines a simple threechannel encoding format that is very compact and easy to implement.

To continue with the discussion of the flow diagram, the encoding formatof the received image data is then identified (Step 503). In accordancewith the principles of the present invention, a data header for theimage data can be made very compact. For example, rather than specifyingstandard format encoding in detail, the header can simply include a flagthat indicates which of many different standard formats the data 421 isencoded in. This is very economic from a data overhead stand point as itlets system components (e.g., 401, 402, etc.) become aware of standardformat data streams using less than a byte or two of data. In somecases, a flag can be used to indicate whether an ICC profile is used toencode the data stream requiring the full profile to be also specified.Additionally, in an example where the image data is encoded in a simpleformat, the parametric format, such as discussed above, can be specifiedin the header.

Additionally, the gamut support capability of the sink (Step 505) deviceis also determined. This information can be exchanged between a source(e.g., 401) and a sink (e.g., 402). For example, sink device gamutsupport capability information can be sent to the source using a simplemessage, sent through an auxiliary line of the connector 405. Themessage includes information that describes the color gamut supportcapability of other devices in a network of such devices. In oneexample, the sink can inform the source whether or not it has a colormodification capability or not or inform of the formats that it candisplay. For example, the sink can inform the source whether or not itcan support an ICC profile. Commonly, the sink informs the source whatcolor gamut's it supports. For example, a small message (a descriptor)can be sent to the source identifying the gamut support properties ofthe sink. This descriptor can, for example, include flags to identifywhich standard formats the sink supports and an indicator thatidentifies what other formats it supports, for example, whether itsupports ICC profiles or “simple” profiles of a type disclosed herein.In general, gamut support capability is a description of the displayformats (color gamut's/spaces) that a sink device can display. Moreover,it can include modification capabilities of the sink that will enablethe sink to receive input data that is encoded in a format differentfrom that of the sink and modify, map, or otherwise convert the inputdata to data that can be presented by image media of the sink device.This information can be exchanged between source and sink devices andthen can be used to determine whether a color modification can beperformed at a sink device.

Once the gamut support capability of the various sink devices has beendetermined. The need for modification is determined (Step 507). If theinitial image signal (e.g., 421) is encoded in a format supported by thesink device, then no modification is required. For example, if the inputimage data is encoded in a first format comprising, for example, sRGBand the sink device supports and can faithfully render sRGB signals, theinput image data is forwarded to the sink device (Step 507 a) where itcan be displayed in its original format (Step 513). Such can also be thecase where no suitable color modification capability is available at thesource or sink. The unmodified input image data (encoded in itsoriginating format) is transmitted to the sink device where it isdisplayed in its original format. This determination can be made, forexample, at the decision module 412 of a source device 401.

To continue, once it is determined that a modification can be conducted,a determination is made as to where the modification is performed (Step509). This determination can be made in accordance with a number ofcriteria or a combination of these criteria. A few examples are providedto illustrate various embodiments of the invention.

The location of the modification can be pre-specified. For example, allmodification can be pre-designated as being conducted at the source.This can be desirable where there is only one sink device, or perhapsseveral sink devices, each configured to display images in accordancewith the same color gamut. Thus a single mapping can be applicable toall of the networked sink devices. The drawback of this approach is thatit places the entire processing burden on the modification modules(e.g., 413 a) of the source device. The problem becomes acute when thereis more than one sink receiving image data from the source at the sametime and where the formats required for each sink are each different.This puts a lot of processing pressure on the source device which canbog the systems down and is therefore, generally, undesirable.

In another approach, the modification function can be distributed toeach of the sink devices that can support such modification. Forexample, as depicted in FIG. 2, the sinks (202 a, 202 b, 202 c, 202 d)can, for example, be configured to display four different formats. In asituation where at least some of the sinks have color modificationability, the system can elect to have the modification be performed onthe sink devices. In one embodiment, this determination is made by thedecision module (e.g., 412 of FIG. 4) of the source 401. The module 412can use the gamut support capability information (obtained in Step 505)from the associated sink devices to determine where the modificationwill occur. For example, the module 412 can determine that whether adesired modification capability exists at the sink, where suchcapability exists, the input data will be forwarded to sink for furtherprocessing and, commonly, display. For example, if the input image datais encoded in accord with a simple profile and it is determined that thesink device can operate on image data having a simple profile, thedecision module determines that the input data is to be forwarded to thesink for further processing and display. Also, the module 412 candetermine that a desired modification capability does not exist at thesink, wherein the input data must be modified at the source (to attainan appropriate format) and then, commonly, displayed. Image data to beoperated upon without mapping can also be addressed similarly by thesystem. Typically, such data will be sent from source to sink where itis displayed in accordance with whatever manner said sink displays theinput data. Thus, as in the present art, there can be some distortion inthis mode.

Thus, once the determination as to whether mapping is to occur (Step507) and where said mapping is to occur (Step 509), in the case wheremodification is required, the modification is performed (Step 511). Asintimated above, the modification is then performed at a locus thesystem deems appropriate. In this way the input signal can be modifiedfrom an original format (e.g., from a native color gamut of the contentgeneration device) to a second gamut supported by a sink device.Importantly, a determination as to which modification is to be used canbe made. In other words a priority can be set. For example, if the sinksupports two color spaces and neither perfectly matches the input signala priority can be set which selects one format over the other and thenthe input is modified to compatibility with the selected color space.Additionally, circuitry can be used to determine which color space getsthe best results from the input signal.

Once modified, the signal can be displayed or, alternatively, stored atthe sink device (Step 513). Thus, in one example, an input signalcomprising image data encoded using a first color gamut (e.g., encoded,for example, with a native color gamut for a video device that recordsthe signal, e.g., as an sRGB signal) is modified, for example, at a datasource (or alternatively at the sink) into a second format whichcomprises a second color gamut supported by the sink device (forexample, an scRGB format). This signal could be displayed in said secondformat at a display media of the sink device. Alternatively, the imagedata of the second format can be stored at the sink or forwarded to afurther location. In another example, an input signal comprising imagedata encoded in accordance with a first simple profile, is modified, forexample, at the source into a second simple display profile thatcharacterizes the color gamut support capabilities of the sink device.This simplified profile enables flexible description of color gamut'sfor various devices and the ready conversion between them.

The invention and the disclosed simple profile can take advantage ofexisting 8-bit color encoding as well as newer high resolution signalsincluding 10-bit, 8B/10B, 16-bit, 18-bit, and other formats andresolutions. The disclosed invention is intended to be applicable to awide range of devices that can define a very wide range of color gamuts.

FIG. 6( a) illustrates one example of a header or message suitable fordisclosing a gamut support capability in a system as described above. Ingeneral, the depicted embodiment illustrates three ways of specifyinggamut support capability. The details can be specified by a headerassociated with image data. Additionally, a sink device can send to thesource device a small message (e.g., using an auxiliary communicationpath). Such a message can be a gamut support capability descriptor 600.The example descriptor comprises a few bytes, but can be larger orsmaller. A first bit 601 (bit zero) can be used to signify that thedevice capability provides no color support capability at all. So forexample, a bit value of “0” can indicate that the device has no colorgamut support at all and no further attention need be given to thedescriptor. In a contrasting example, a bit value of “1” may indicatethat the device has a color gamut support capability and that furtherbits must be examined to obtain the details as to what the capabilityis. For example, a second bit 602 can be read to determine whether thedevice supports ICC profiles, a third bit 603 can be read to determinewhether the device supports simple profiles. Another bit (e.g. bit four604) can be used to specify whether the device in question recognizes oruses flag indicators. Where such is the case, a fifth bit 605 can beread to determine whether “flag” bits must be consulted to determinewhich standard formats are supported. Another bit (e.g., bit six 606)could be used to set priorities either as to preferred color space orpreferred color gamut support capabilities. Other bits can be used tospecify, other features and gamut support capabilities as desired. Thus,a first descriptor 600 can comprise a single byte.

When, for example, the descriptor 600 indicates a flag indicated colorgamut support capability is indicated, a second byte 610 can beconsulted to determine standard color space is supported by the sink. Asshown in the example of FIG. 6( b), another byte 610 can be used toindicate which standard color spaces are supported by the sink(alternatively it can form part of a data header to define the format ofthe following data). In this approach, the single byte can specify eightstandard color spaces simply by indication using “flags” of indicator610. Many other approaches could be employed and as such arecontemplated by the inventors. In this example, a “1” in the associatedbit indicates a color space is supported and a “0” can indicate nosupport for such a color space. For example, bit 0 (611) can be used toindicate support for the sRGB color space, bit 1 (612) can indicatesupport for the scRGB color space, bit 2 (613) can indicate support forthe AdobeRGB color space, bit 3 (614) can indicate support for theDCI-P3 color space, bit 4 (615) can indicate support for the xvYCC601color space, bit 5 (616) can indicate support for the xvYCC709 colorspace, and so on. Spaces can be reserved for future standards and so on.Also, further bits (or bytes) can be use to capture a greater array ofstandard formats. Referring back, to FIG. 6( a) the bit 606 could beused to indicate which one of the flagged standard formats is preferred.For example, it could refer to yet another byte which is configured toidentify which color space is preferred for display. Or indeed, thespaces could be ranked in order of preference in the order in which theyare presented in this additional byte.

Where an ICC profile is indicated (such as by second bit 602) anothervastly larger descriptor can be used to specify the ICC profile formatof the data. For example 128 byte header is specified, a tag count isincluded (e.g., another 4 bytes), a tag table can be included(generally, 12 bytes for each entry), then the tagged element data canbe included. This profile can be extremely large comprising many, many,megabytes. Further details of this can be obtained using in the ICCspecification associated with, for example, ICC.1:2004-10 (as indicatedat, for example, www.color.org).

A simple profile can also be easily specified. For example, an entry fortotal profile size can be first, perhaps comprising a 16-bit integer orsome other format. For example, a second entry in the format can definethe luminance value for the white point. Followed by entries for x and ycoordinates for the white point of the simple profile. Entries each ofthe x and y coordinates for each of the red, blue, and green points arealso specified. Gamma parameters are also specified in accord with aspecified format. One example of presenting gamma values A₀, A₁, A₂, A₃is described above. Numerous other ancillary pieces of information canalso be transmitted. But these are very small descriptors comprisingjust a few bytes which provide a massive advantage over the vast ICCprofiles.

It should be pointed out that similar descriptors can be incorporatedinto image data a headers that describe the data to follow. Simpleprofiles can be specified, ICC profiles, as can the range of standardformats. Flags and an array of other indicators can be used as describedabove. This header and associated image data can be transmitted orstored. Storage media can include erasable memories (e.g., flash memory)or fixed storage media (e.g., DVD's).

In the modern multi-gamut environment, the invention meets and overcomesmany of the challenges in generating color from one gamut (associatedwith the data format) and presenting it using another gamut (associatedwith another device). The disclosed method enables high fidelity gamutand color space support in order to attain the best possible colorfidelity. In the conversion between standard formats a simple look uptable can be used to convert from one color gamut to another. Any otherapproaches known to a person of ordinary skill in the art may also beemployed. Additionally, as to simple profile encoding a variety of colorconversion algorithms can be applied to enable effective and accurateconversion based on the parameters provided in the simple profile. Thus,the presently described approach for overcomes a number of colorfidelity issues in addition to providing a flexible and easily usableframework for color gamut management among several devices. Thus, theinventive technology can faithfully display input video content usingvarying display gamut's (and correcting for input video limitations) andto maintain substantially similar color appearance over a wide range ofdiffering display devices, each with their own color gamuts. Moreover,the disclosed approach can provide reasonably accurate wide gamut colorspace support.

The inventors also point out that a wide array of ancillary processingand functionality can be associated with the systems described herein.Such ancillary processing can include a wide array of signal processingoperations. Examples include, but are not limited to denoising, sizeconversion, scaling, contrast enhancement, deinterlacing, deflicking,deblocking, interpolation, resampling, statistical post processing,softening, requantization, luminance alteration, telecine (pull up/pulldown conversion), and so on. These ancillary processes can be introducedat a number of stages in the process. For example, in one approach, theancillary processes can be performed before the modification oralternatively after modification or, in some alternative applications,these ancillary processes could be performed as part of the modificationprocess.

The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specificnomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention.However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specificdetails are not required in order to practice the invention. Thus, theforegoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present inventionare presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formsdisclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art thatmany modifications and variations are possible in view of the aboveteachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to bestexplain the principles of the invention and its practical applications,to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize theinvention and various embodiments with various modifications as aresuited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scopeof the invention be defined by the following claims and theirequivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An integrated circuit chip comprising: a contentprocessing system configured to: receive input image data having colorinformation encoded in accordance with a first format associated with afirst color gamut; determine that input image data is encoded in thefirst format; receive sink device color gamut support capability andimage modification capability information from a sink device incommunication with the chip, and transmit output image data from thechip to the sink device, the output image data being encoded in one ofthe first format or a second format; a decision module configured todetermine whether the output image data is transmitted to the sinkdevice in one of the first format or the second format, thedetermination based on the color gamut support capability and imagemodification capability information received from the sink device, and amodification module configured to enable the selective modification ofthe input image data from the first color gamut to the second colorgamut associated with the output image data, wherein the modification isperformed in accordance with instruction from the decision module. 2.The chip recited in claim 1, wherein the decision module is configuredto determine whether the modifying is to be performed by themodification module of the chip or at the sink based upon the imagemodification capability information received from the sink.
 3. The chiprecited in claim 2, wherein the decision module is configured todetermine where the modifying is to be performed using at least one of,format information concerning the input image data; the sink devicecolor gamut support capability information received from the sinkdevice; and a priority which preselects where the modifying is to beperformed.
 4. The chip recited in claim 2, wherein the contentprocessing system is configured to enable support of image dataformatted in accordance with a three channel simple color profile. 5.The chip recited in claim 4, wherein the simple color profile comprisesparameters for three primaries of color gamut and an associated whitepoint.
 6. The chip recited in claim 2, wherein the content processingcircuitry is configured to support input image data encoded inaccordance with at least one of a standardized format using a standardcolor gamut, a simple color profile, and an ICC profile.
 7. A method forcommunicating image data between network devices in a multimedianetwork, the method comprising: identifying an encoding format of imagedata encoded in a first format associated with a first color gamut;receiving information relating to gamut support capability and imagemodification capability of a first network device in communication witha second network device; determining whether to modify the image datafrom the first color gamut to a second format compatible with a secondcolor gamut associated with the first network device; where it isdetermined that the modification is not to be performed, forwarding theimage data in the first format to the first network device; where it isdetermined that the modification is to be performed, determining whetherthe modification is to be performed by a second network device or by thefirst network device, the determination based on the receivedinformation relating to image modification capability of the firstnetwork device; and once a site is determined for modification,performing one of, conducting the modification at the second networkdevice, or forwarding the image data to the first network device.
 8. Themethod recited in claim 7 wherein when the determining determines thatthe mapping is to be performed at the first network device, receivingthe forwarded image data at the first network device; and conducting themodification of the image data from the first color gamut to the secondcolor gamut at the first network device.
 9. The method recited in claim7 wherein the first format of the image data is encoded using a simplecolor profile that specifies a three channel color format.
 10. Themethod recited in claim 7, wherein the three channel color format of thesimple color profile specifies parameters for three primaries of anative color gamut for the image data and a white point chromaticity forthe image data, the three primaries defining a red reference, a greenreference, and a blue reference for the native color gamut.
 11. Themethod recited in claim 10, wherein the simple color profile includesparameters that specify a range of minimum and maximum values for eachof red, green, and blue, and scaling parameters.
 12. The method recitedin claim 9, wherein the simple color profile further includes gammacorrection parameters.
 13. The method recited in claim 12, wherein thegamma correction parameters of the simple color profiles include gammacorrection parameters enabling non-linear gamma correction.
 14. Themethod recited in claim 11, wherein the scaling parameters includedigital unit scale and zero bias.
 15. The method recited in claim 7,wherein the first format comprises one of a standardized format using astandard color gamut, a simple color profile, and an ICC profile.
 16. Acomputer implementable method embodied on a non-transitory tangiblecomputer readable media, for communicating image data between networkdevices in a multimedia network, the method comprising compute readableinstructions for: identifying an encoding format of image data encodedin a first format associated with a first color gamut; receivinginformation relating to gamut support capability and image modificationcapability of a first network device in communication with a secondnetwork device; determining whether to modify the image data from thefirst color gamut to a second format compatible with a second colorgamut associated with the first network device; where it is determinedthat the modification is not to be performed, forwarding the image datain the first format to the first network device; where it is determinedthat the modification is to be performed, determining whether themodification is to be performed by the second network device or by thefirst network device, the determination based on the receivedinformation relating to image modification capability of the firstnetwork device; and once a site is determined for medication, performingone of, conducting the modification at the second network device, orforwarding the image data to the first network device.
 17. The computerimplementable method recited in claim 16 wherein when the determiningdetermines that the mapping is to be performed at the first networkdevice, receiving the forwarded image data at the first network device;and conducting the modification of the image data from the first colorgamut to the second color gamut at the first network device.
 18. Thecomputer implementable method recited in claim 16 wherein the firstformat of the image data is encoded using a simple color profile thatspecifies a three channel color format.
 19. The computer implementablemethod recited in claim 16, wherein the three channel color format ofthe simple color profile specifies parameters for three primaries of anative color gamut for the image data and a white point chromaticity forthe image data, the three primaries defining a red reference, a greenreference, and a blue reference for the native color gamut.
 20. Thecomputer implementable method recited in claim 19, wherein the simplecolor profile includes parameters that specify a range of minimum andmaximum values for each of red, green, and blue, and scaling parameters.21. The computer implementable method recited in claim 18, wherein thesimple color profile further includes gamma correction parameters. 22.The computer implementable method recited in claim 20, wherein thescaling parameters include digital unit scale and zero bias.
 23. Asystem for use in communicating image data in a multimedia network, thesystem comprising: a content processor configured to: receive inputimage data having color information encoded in accordance with a firstformat associated with a first color gamut; determine that input imagedata is encoded in the first format; receive first network device colorgamut support capability and image modification capability informationfrom a first network device in communication with the chip, and transmitoutput image data from the chip to the first network device, the outputimage data being encoded in one of the first format or a second format;a decision module configured to determine whether the output image datais transmitted to the first network device in one of the first format orthe second format, the decision based on the color gamut supportcapability and image modification capability information received fromthe first network device, and a modification module configured to enableselective modification of the input image data from the first colorgamut to the second color gamut associated with the output image data,wherein the modification is performed in accordance with instructionfrom the decision module.
 24. The system recited in claim 23 wherein,the decision module determines whether the modifying is to be performedby the modification module of the system or at the first network devicebased upon the image modification capability information received fromthe first network device.
 25. The system recited in claim 24 wherein,the decision module determines where the modifying is to be performedusing at least one of, format information concerning the input imagedata; the first network device color gamut support capabilityinformation received from the first network device; and a priority whichpreselects where the modifying is to be performed.
 26. The systemrecited in claim 24, wherein the content processing system is configuredto enable support of image data formatted in accordance with a simplecolor profile comprising parameters for three primaries of a color gamutand an associated white point.